It’s been 37 years, but WAFB meteorologist Diane Deaton is finally saying goodbye ton her 2:30 a.m. wake up calls.
The 68-year-old weathercaster, who’s known as Queen D, has decided to retire from the Baton Rouge, La. station this month. Meteorologist Dr. Steve Caparotta will take over her role at the station.
Looking back, Deaton says her start in weather looks very different than forecasting today.
“They just looked for somebody who looked all right on TV and who could kind of speak and who could fill three minutes,” Deaton told The Advocate. “It wasn’t the critical, go-to-the-top-of-the show it is now. So much is dependent on the weather — and weather changes so quickly.”
Deaton began her career at a small station in Kansas City, Mo. She moved to Baton Rouge in 1983, where she started on the weekends and quickly moved to mornings.
Since then, she’s had her alarm set to 2:30 a.m. to get ready for the 4:30 a.m. show.
But after her final forecast on Dec. 18, Deaton can finally sleep in.